Lunenburg's Deputy Mayor Will Re-Offer

 

The deputy mayor in Lunenburg will re-offer for another term in the upcoming municipal election. John McGee was first elected in 2008 and is rounding out his first term on town council. If re-elected, McGee says he'd like to see the town take a more pro-active approach and be more aggressive in initiating change. He says his first term has been an educational experience for him and believes it's important to run for a second term.



McGee says council is faced with a number of challenges going forward including the future of Lunenburg Academy. He also points to the rising cost of utilities and economic development as areas that will need attention.

Mill Buyer Offered Big Provincial Dollars

As a final agreement nears for the sale of the idle NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill in Cape Breton, Premier Darrell Dexter says the provincial government is offering the potential buyer, Pacific West Corporation, financial incentives including $66.5 million in loans. The premier says $26.5 million of that could be forgiven, based on the Vancouver company meeting certain criteria. The announcement comes after the province's Utility and Review Board approved an arrangement between Pacific West and Nova Scotia Power. The mill shut down last September, laying off some 600 employees and affecting another 400 forestry contractors. Pacific West wants to buy the mill for 33-million dollars and restart production this fall.

Wolter Breaks National Track And Field Record

A local runner has claimed a record at the National Legion Track and Field Championships. Tobias Wolter of Conquerall Mills won the boys under-16 1500 metre steeplechase event in just over four minutes and 15 seconds. Wolter snapped the previous record by four seconds. He also took home silver medals in the boys 1200 metre race and 1600 metre sprint medley. The event was held over the weekend in Charlottetown, PEI.

Board OK's Power Deal For NewPage Mill

The province's Utility and Review Board has given its approval to a proposed power rate deal that could help resume operations at the NewPage Port Hawkesbury paper mill. Pacific West Commercial Corp. applied for the arrangement with Nova Scotia Power as part of its deal to buy the shuttered operation in Cape Breton for $33 million. The decision also needs approval from the Canada Revenue Agency. It comes just as Premier Darrell Dexter is expected to make an announcement in Port Hawkesbury about the mill later today. The mill shut down last September, throwing some 600 employees out of work and affecting another 400 forestry contractors.

Bed Shortages At South Shore Hospitals

There's a shortage of beds at South Shore hospitals.  A big run on the ER's at hospitals in Liverpool, Bridgewater and Lunenburg has resulted in an unusual number of patients needing to be admitted to the hospitals. Officials at South Shore Health say some of the causes include an elderly population, a high number of palliative care patients, warm weather, and complicated conditions that require longer stays. They say if you don't need emergency care, you should visit your family health care provider, call 811 to receive medical advice from a Registered Nurse, or visit the nearest walk-in clinic. South Shore Health hopes the bed shortage is eased shortly.

Food Drive Bikers Head For South Shore

Don't be surprised to see a large group of energetic cyclists peddling along the 103 in the next few days.

Its a contingent of provincial real estate agents raising money and food donations for Feed Nova Scotia, the charitable organization that looks after people needing food and shelter.  Roger Boutilier (BOOT-leer) of the province's Realtors Association is the lead rider. 


The journey began in Sydney last week and the group of riders will peddle into Bridgewater and Shipyard's Landing on Tuesday with the wind-up in Yarmouth on Saturday.  $25,000.00 is the goal and the group is also collecting canned food donations along the way.

Bridgewater Approves Snow Clearing Reserve

The town of Bridgewater has approved setting up a reserve for snow clearing. Council members have agreed to set up a policy to provide funding for costs not included in their operating budget. The policy allows for funds to be set aside when snow clearing costs are less than budget. It also allows the funds to be withdrawn when costs are greater than budget. The reserve has a $125,000 cap. The town's surplus or deficit for any given year will be impacted by the amount of transfer to and from the reserve.